Tire deflation signal



Aug. 16, 1938.

M. RIUSECH TIRE DEFLATION SIGNAL Filed Nov. 3D, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Aug. 16, 1938. M. RlusEcH TIRE DEFLATION SIGNAL Filed NOV. 30, 1936 3Sheets-Sheet 2 A m. m l A Aug. 16, 1938. M, RlUsECH 2,127,187

TIRE DEFLATION SIGNAL Filed Nov. 30, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f/v VEN T02?Mec/cando 'uec/z Patented Aug. 16, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIREDEI'LATION SIGNAL Medardo Riulecll, Habana', Cuba Application November30', 193B, Serial'No. 113,515

Th'e primary object of the present invention4 is the provision of asignaling system involving a signal control circuit for each tire, withthe determined air pressure in the inner tube, the circuit of anyparticular tire being closed and the signal energized following adeflation of the tire, that is the reduction of the contained airpressure.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a system of thetype deilned which may be utilized conveniently and successfully withdouble pneumatic tires, that is with tires duplicated on the respectivewheels for additional support and traction, each of the double tires ofa wheel being adequately protected independently of the other tire ofsuch wheel so far as the deflation signal is concerned.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means whereby thecircuit closing means responsive to tire pressure may be adjusted torender the system operative at any desired pressure variation and thusrendered more or less sensitive in its signaling effect.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional view showing the means for utilizingthe air pressure of the tire for controlling the signaling circuit, thecircuit controlling means being shown in position to close the circuit.

Figure 2 is a broken sectional view of the circuit control means showingthe control means in a position to maintain the circuit open.

Figure 3 is a view in elevation, partly in section, showing the signalcircuit control means in position on the inner tube.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 5 is a transverse section showing the circuiting elements formaintaining the continuity of the circuit between the revolving tireelements and the iixed signal on the vehicle.

Figure 6 is a vertical section of the same on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical section of the same on the line 'I-'I of Figure5.

Figure 8 is a perspective View showing the circuiting means between therotating drum andthe back plate for maintaining the integrity of thecircuit between the revolving wheel and the vehicle frame.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the vehicle illustrating the circuiting meansand showing the rear wheels as of the double pneumatic tire type.

continuity of the circuit interrupted by a pre- 1 (o1. zoo-sar Figure 10is a diagrammatic elevation, partly in section, showing the dash andsignaling circuits with signals on the dash.

For the purposes of the present invention, the signal circuit for eachpneumatic tire, whether oi the single or double type, is provided with acircuit control element which is open to, and responsive for circuitingpurposes, the pressure of air in the tube. Thus, the more or lessconventional illling tube I is secured to the inner tube 2 by theconventional means I and has its lateral extension 4 terminally-providedfor the reception of the usual hose by which air is introduced into theinner tube to inilate the same. 0f course, the free end of the tube hasthe usual valve structure which is omitted from the illustration asunnecessary to show. n

This tube 4I is formed wth an upstanding hollow extension 5 in line withthe connection between the tube I and the inner tube, which hollowextension is interiorly threaded at 6. Arranged within the hollowextension 5 is an insulating block 'I which has a diameter somewhat lessthan the interior diameter of the extension and is formed in its lowerface with a depression I registering with a similar depression 9 in theupper portion of the tube I. Bridging the depression 9 and underlyingthe depression 8 is a iiexible diaphragm I0 and as the depression 9communicates with the air channel in the tube I through a reducedopening Il, it is apparent that the central and greater portion of thedlaphragm I0 is open to the influence or pressure of the air within theinner tube.

Arranged within an axial opening I2 of the block I is a metallic tubeIl, the lower end of which is bent laterally to underlie the upper wallof the depression Il. 'I'he upper end of the metallic sleeve I3 extendsabove the block I and such upperend is interiorly threaded at I4 toreceive a threaded plug I5, which plug is thus vertically adjustablelengthwise the tube I3. Secured in the diaphragm I0 is a contact elementIB, preferably pointed at the lower end and between which contactelement and the plug I5 is a coil spring I1 which, when free to act,causes the contact element IB to be brought in contact with the bottomwall of the depression 9 to establish electrical continuity at thispoint.

A metallic or other rigid annular member` Il is seated in a channel inthe upper portion of the insulating block 1, which member I8 is threadedto engage the threaded portion 6 of the extension 5, whereby theinsulating block may be held down with suiilcient pressure to ilx theperipheral edge of the diaphragm. Pins I9 extend outwardly from theannular member I8 and through and beyond the casing A5. A sleevelikeelement 2n is provided with a laterally offset depending skirt 2| havingbayonet slots 22,

whereby the skirt and thereby the sleeve may be removably interlockedwith the extension l through cooperation with the pins I9.

The sleeve 2li extends laterally of the extension l and is terminallyprovided with an insulating section 2l, the ends of which overlie theends of the sleeve and are secured in position by a cap 24 whichadditionally secures and holds a ilexible insulating sheath 25 for aconductor Il which extends through the insulating section 2l and has aterminal head 21 to overlie, bear upon and electrically engage the plugII. This head 21 is oi' suillcient diameter to engage the upper end ofthe metallic sleeve I8 if the plug should be depressed below the upperend oi' such sleeve through desired adjustment of the spring.

The construction described provides for a circuiting condition at thetire which will be responsive to the pressure in the tire. Oi.' course,it is understood that as usual in electrical equipment of vehicles ofthis type. one side of the circuit is grounded so that only oneconductor here is illustrated and treated here as the circuitingelement.

It will be noted that so long as a predetermined pressure is maintainedwithin the inner tube 2, such pressure -ilnding its way through theinner tube 2 will elevate the central portion of the diaphragm and somove the contact I8 away from theI bottom wall of the depression 0, asillustrated in Figure 2. The circuit is thus broken. Now, i! thepressure in the inner tube 2 should fall to an extent to permit thespring I1 to overcome such pressure, the diaphragm i0, and moreparticularly the contact I0, will be moved downwardiy into contact withthe bottom of the depression l and re-establish continuity of theelectrical circuit.

Oi course, the elements described are rotating with the wheel and as the.signaling elements to be later referred to are mounted on the vehicle,circuiting conditions must be established between the rotating wheel andthe relatively fixed vehicle frame. This connection is establishedthrough the brake drum, the details of which are shown more particularlyin Figures 6 to 8, inclusive.

The conventional backing plate 2l of the conventional drum assembly.which backing plate is fixed oi course with respect to the chassis, isprovided with a hollow -insulating nipple 29 extending therethrough andon the inner side oi.' said plate with respect to the drum the nipple isterminally provided with a plate 30 on one surface of which adjacent theends are arranged insulating pads 3i. Conducting bars I2 and 33 aresecured to the insulating pads 3i and these bars are terminally providedwith contact disks I4 which bear on contact rings 35 and 36 secured uponan insulating strip 31 overlying an annular plate 88 which is secured at3S to the inner surface of the brake drum 40. Hollow nipples 4I and 42extend through the brake drum in line with the rings 3l and 38.

Where double pneumatic wheels are employed. as indicated at 4I and 44 inFigures 9 and l0, it is understood that the mechanism shown in Figure lof the drawings is provided for each wheel and that the conductors 26leading from cach of said tires are together led to the brake drum andthrough the nipples 4I and 42 and terminally connected to the respectivecontact rings 35 and I8. Corresponding conductors 45 and 46 areterminally connected to the contact bars 32 alanis? and I! led throughthe insulating nipple 2l and provide signal leads for independentsignals. Of course, the electrical continuity is maintained in anobvious manner through the rotating contact rings and the fixed contactbars so that the circuit is complete from the rotating wheel to the nxedsignal.

Where only a single tire is employed, as indicated at 41 in Figure 9,there is a single conductor 2li and a single contact ring I5 or 38, asingle contact arm 32 or 3l engaging such ring and a single wire leadingthrough the nipple 2l to the signal.

Arranged on the dash 48 or other appropriate part of the vehicle withinthe vision of the driver is a signal casing 49 ln which are arrangedsignals l0 of any appropriate type which are energized through theconductors previously referred to. For example, conductor 28 for thesingle pneumatic wheel will lead to ne signal while each oi' theconductors and 45 of a double wheel will lead to a signal. Thus, thedeflation of the air pressure of the inner tube of any tire, whetherasingle tire or a double tire, will permit the closing of the signalenergizing circuit and so render the signal visible or audible as thecase may be.

The tension of the spring Il may obviously be adjusted through movementof the plug Il and as the pressure of this spring will determine thesensitivity oi the circuit closer in response to the inner tubepressure, it is apparent that the signal system may be employed foradvising the driver of a very small loss of air pressure or may be setto permit a considerably greater loss of pressure before operating thesignal. This adjustment, while permitting these noted advantages, isprimarily designed to adjust the system for sensitive response to thetire pressure leads in accordance with the pressure demands of theparticular tire. Thus, in some tires where the necessary pressure ishigher than in others, the spring may obviously be adjusted to maintainthe same sensitivity oi' signal operation without regard to thisvariation in pressurel of diil'erent tires.

What is claimed to be new is:

A circuit controlling means for tire denation signals, including asleeve integral with the iniiation tube and in open communication withthe air under pressure within the tube, a diaphragm arranged transversethe sleeve, an insulating block secured within the sleeve and bearingupon and securing the edges of the diaphragm, a conducting sleeve withinthe block, a plug threaded in one end of the conducting sleeve, acontact carried by the diaphragm, a spring intermediate the plug anddiaphragm and serving to hold the contact in electrical engagement withthe inflation tube to thereby maintain the grounded side ci the circuitwhen the air pressure within the tube is reduced, the upper end of theinsulating block being of reduced diameter, an annular member ilttingthe portion of reduced diameter of the insulating block and havingthreaded connection with the sleeve integral with the inflation tube tohold the insulating block in position to secure the edges of thediaphragm, a conductor terminally in electrical contact with the plug, ahousing for the conductor having a sleeve extension to slidably titexteriorly of the sleeve integral with the inflation tube, and pinspassing through the sleeve extension, the integral sleeve, and into theannular member to hold the parts in fixed relation while permittingtheir convenient separation for repair or adjustment.

. MEDARDO RIUSECH.

